PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT
PACIFIC ACP LEADERS MEETING
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
25 October 2005
SUMMARY OF DECISIONS
Pacific ACP Leaders from Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Niue, Nauru, Papua New Guinea,
Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby, on
25 October 2005. Palau and Tonga were represented by their Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs,
respectively. Timor Leste was represented by its Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Hon. Prime
Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Rt Hon Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, chaired the Meeting.
Pacific ACP Leaders considered the progress made on the implementation of the Pacific Regional Indicative Programme
(PRIP), the Outcomes of the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting of 26 May 2005, the regions’ progress toward negotiating
an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) and, the progress of the Small Economies Work
Programme under the Doha Development Agenda.
In his remarks as the outgoing Chair of the Pacific ACP Leaders, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of
Samoa thanked the Members for their support during his term as Chair of the Pacific ACP Group. This had brought about
good progress in both Development Cooperation and Trade Negotiation with our European partners. The Hon. Malielegoaoi
noted that the Regional Indicative Programme had performed comparatively well to other ACP regions. He expected that
this good performance would be rewarded with an increased allocation from the EU.
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea thanked Members for nominating him to be the new Chair of the Pacific ACP Group.
He highlighted the need for solidarity within the region as it continues to negotiate an EPA with the EU.
EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF)/PACIFIC REGIONAL INDICATIVE PROGRAMME (PRIP)
Leaders noted with appreciation the progress over the past 12 months in the implementation of the PRIP under the 9th
EDF, which is currently 100% committed. They expressed the wish to improve early approval and disbursement of funds
under the EDF. Leaders also expressed their appreciation for the assistance provided by the European Union to the
Pacific ACP States through various other financial instruments.
PACIFIC ACP TRADE MINISTERS MEETING
Leaders endorsed the Outcomes of the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting held on 26th May 2005 in Nadi. With respect to
the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations, the Leaders discussed progress made over the last year noting that
Ministerial level negotiations were planned for the first half of 2006. Leaders noted the progress on the Small
Economies Work Programme under the Doha Development Agenda and called for the support of Forum Dialogue partners at the
6th WTO Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong, for SEWP proposals under the Doha Development Agenda. Leaders agreed to seek
the support of Australia and New Zealand for the Small Economies proposals, including on fisheries subsidies.
STATEMENTS
ACP Secretary General
The ACP Secretary General, Sir John Kaputin was invited to make a statement and he expressed appreciation at the
invitation and at the unanimous support from the PACP region that enabled him to accede to the post of ACP Secretary
General. He outlined the opportunities challenges faced by the ACP countries and the efforts made by the ACP Secretariat
to assist in addressing them. He urged the PACP states to continue to maintain unity with the other ACP regions
particularly given the challenging times ahead with respect to the EPA process and the European Development Fund. A copy
of the statement will be attached to the Summary Records of the meeting.
EU Representative
Mr. Anders Henriksson Director for the Horn of Africa, East and Southern Africa, Indian Ocean and the Pacific,
Development Directorate-General, European Commission, was invited to address the PACP Leaders. In recognition of the
good performance and based on the needs of the PACP region, and following the completion of the Mid-Term Review, the EC
has approved an additional Euro 10 million for the P ACP Regional Indicative Program. The EC will also be proposing a
new policy strategy for the Pacific region that will seek greater coherence in its assistance and commitment to the
region. Views were also shared in support of the Pacific Plan and the EPA process. The PACP leaders expressed the
region’s appreciation for the additional assistance announced for the region and for the new policy initiatives proposed
by the EC and looked forward to discussing these initiatives further with the EC before coming to an agreement. A copy
of the statement will be attached to the Summary Records of the meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
Leaders noted the intention of Tokelau to apply for membership to the ACP Group and agreed to discuss the matter during
the Forum Leaders Retreat.
The Chair thanked the Leaders for their support and looked forward to their continued cooperation in enhancing and
promoting the unity of the Pacific ACP Region as it strove to conclude an acceptable EPA with the EU.
Port Moresby, 25 October 2005
ENDS